“Clever girl.” Luna smiled. “They told me you would know a great deal about us, even though most mortals don’t even believe we exist.” She waved her hands at the scene around them. “This is but a dream, while in fact my spirit is in your room right now. You even witnessed my arrival through the portal window. It is not safe for me to travel physically, just now, into your mortal lands. It is not safe for any of us. This is one of the reasons we need your help.”
“You and Billy must come to us. Your friends, Ariel and Donnie, are also needed. The quest we must send you on is a very dangerous one, and you will need much help. Inside the golden chest resides your guide into Fairyland. At midnight on Halloween, the chest will open.” Luna placed a slender hand on Katie’s shoulder. “You must all be in the attic at midnight, for only those present when the chest opens, will be allowed to enter Fairyland. Be there, Katie. We are all depending on you.”
As the moon fairy spoke, her voice drifted away, and Katie found herself back in the fog. She heard Grams calling her name and opened her eyes to see her grandmother’s concerned face leaning over her.
“My you must have really worn yourself out last night,” said Grams, patting Katie’s hand. “I called three times for you to come down to breakfast. I got worried when you didn’t answer but as I see now you were too tired to even change out of your costume. Well, I think you’re rested now so get your bath and I’ll keep your breakfast warm.”
Katie rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. It had just been a dream. She smiled back at her grandmother. “It was a wonderful night, wasn’t it, Grams?” she said yawning. “I wish it could have lasted forever!”
“Yes, it was magical, and to think there won’t be another celebration like that for one hundred years. We were lucky to be alive for this one,” said Grams. “It will stay in our memories forever, but we still have Halloween to get ready for. We have treats to make so get out of bed you lazy head. There’s work to be done.” She ruffled Katie’s hair and headed back down the stairs.
Katie smiled. What Grams called work was actually fun. Billy and she would help Grams form popcorn balls and put them into plastic bags. Then Grams would make taffy, and they would pull it and shape it into all kinds of weird creatures. Next, chocolate brownies would be carved into big fat bats with everyone eating the trimmings.
Katie climbed out of bed and changed into her robe. She spread her costume on the bed so that it wouldn’t wrinkle. “Wait a minute. What’s that?” she wondered as she noticed a silver spot on the shoulder. Oh no! Surely she hadn’t spilled something on it at the ball? She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she had ruined the beautiful gown.
She looked closer at the spot frowning. She didn’t remember eating anything silver last night. As she squinted the spot seemed to move. It got larger and larger. Soon it resembled a bird. Katie gasped and backed away. It looked just like the bird in her dream, but it couldn’t be! That had been a dream developed from a fantastic night of fantasy. It wasn’t real... or was it? She stared at the bird. It puffed out its feathers as if being inflated, then hopped off the dress and onto Katie’s hand. Dropping a silver parchment in her palm it winked, then singing its magical melody, disappeared right before her eyes.
Katie sat awe struck. What was happening to her? Maybe she was still asleep.
The moon fairy had visited her and then sent a messenger to make sure she realized it had been real. Now what was she supposed to do?
Halloween was just four days away.